Support structure

ABSTRACT

A support structure includes a base element and a supported element which is supported on the base element. Support means is interposed between the elements and includes at least one loadcentering first support member carried by the base element and at least one second support member overlying the first support member at least coextensively therewith. The second support member supports the supported element and is unconnected with the first support member so as to have slight freedom of movement relative thereto but transmitting loads originating from the supported element into the first member in all positions relative thereto.

Unite States Patent Hans Alfred Nell Klippe 17, 5602 Langenberg, Germany[21] Appl. No. 811,146

[22] Filed Mar. 27, 1969 [72] Inventor [45] Patented Jan. 11, 1972 [32]Priority Mar. 30, 1968 [33] Germany [54] SUPPORT STRUCTURE 21 Claims, 10Drawing Figs.

Primary Examiner-Chancellor E. Harris Attorney-Michael S. StrikerABSTRACT: A support structure includes a base element and a supportedelement which is supported on the base element. Support means isinterposed between the elements and includes at least one load-centeringfirst support member carried by the base element and at least one secondsupport member overlying the first support member at least coextensivelytherewith. The second support member supports the supported element andis unconnected with the first support member so as to have slightfreedom of movement relative thereto but transmitting loads originatingfrom the supported element into the first member in all positionsrelative thereto.

SUPPORT STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to asupport structure in general, and more particularly to a supportstructure wherein a supported element is to be supported on a baseelement.

Still more particularly the invention relates to support means forsupporting, on a base element, a supported element whose load stresses,as well as stresses resulting from shifting and/or twisting of thesupported element relative to the base element, are to be transmittedinto the latter.

The invention attempts to provide a plate-shaped supporting arrangementwhich absorbs and vertically transmits into the base element verticalloads originating from the supported element, which at the same timeabsorbs horizontal shifting of the supported element relative to thebase element with lowest possible horizontal forces, and which permitstwisting of the supported element with respect to the base element withsimultaneous centering of the loads and reduces the edge stressessignificantly so as to permit optimum transmission of the outer loadingforces into the base element.

In accordance with the invention this problem is solved by providing aload-centering support member and a sliding support member which arecoextensive and superposed. It is advantageous if the two supportmembers are independently superimposed. This provides the advantage thatthe support structure provides a sliding function which is operative ineach type of loading condition and which reduces the friction of thesliding contact faces significantly over the entire area of the supportstructure, all of this being independent of twisting forcesandload-centering function. The danger of a possible separation of thesliding layers from parts of the load-centering member is avoided. Achange of shape due to horizontal forces transmitted by theload-centering member is being avoided, while horizontal forces at thesame time are made a minimum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one feature of my invention astructure of the type in question includes, briefly stated, a baseelement and a supported element which is supported on the base element.Support means is interposed between the elements and includes at leastone load-centering first support member connected to the base elementand at least one second support member overlying the first supportmember at least coextensively therewith. The second support membersupports the supported element and is unconnected with the first supportmember so as to have slight freedom of movement relative thereto whiletransmitting loads originating from the support element into the firstmember in all positions which it assumes relative to the first member.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic verticalsection through a structure according to the present invention n oneembodiment thereof;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating one half of the sameembodiment but with some additional elements included;

FIG. 2a shows another half of the embodiment according to FIG. 1 withconcrete pervading a lower layer;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating a further embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an additional embodiment of the invention in a viewsimilar to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a connection between twoseparate structures according to the present invention; shown in planview.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating a different type ofconnection than that of FIG. 5; also shown in plan view;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic fragmentary illustration showing a furtheraspect of the invention; in plan view;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but showing a modification; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevation illustrating diagrammatically still anotherembodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing the drawing indetail, and firstly the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seenthat reference numeral 1 identifies a base element, such as a portion ofa concrete wall structure or floor structure or beam or the like.Connected to this base element 1 via a layer 2 of adhesive material is aplateshaped support arrangement 3, carrying the supported superstructure41 in FIG. 2 and 2a. This consists in the illustrated embodiment of aload-centering support member 4 consisting of a chloroprene-polymerisateand is surrounded by a foam-type filler material 5 consisting ofsynthetic plastic material or a paper-based material. The load-centeringsupport member 4 may be strip shaped in the direction of thelongitudinal axis of the base element 1. However, there may be two ormore load-centering support members 4 arranged spaced from one anotherin the direction of the longitudinal axis of the base element 1. Theload-centering support member 4 is preferably of round plate shape butmay also consist of a rectangular plate-shaped member.

To increase the load-carrying ability and safety of the loadcenteringsupport member 4 the latter is provided at its circumference with areinforcement 6 which may extend all along the circumference of thesupport member 4, or only over part of the circumference. Preferably thereinforcement consists of continuous, elastic and-if desired-corrugatedmembers of metallic or plastic material. In the illustrated embodimentof FIG. 1 the reinforcement is located within the load-centering supportmember 4 proximal to the margin thereof, but it could also be arrangedexteriorly about the edge face of the load-centering support member 4.

A glide member 7 completely overlies the load-centering support member 4and filler material 5 and consists of two coextensive glide layers 8 and9 of plastic material, preferably polytetrafluorethylene. The layers 8and 9 define with one another an interface 10.

The load-centering support member 4 and the glide member or secondmember 7 are reinforced and sealed at their common circumference byadhesive strips 11 which may be fiber-reinforced if desired, so thatwhen concrete is poured over the base element and the supportarrangement, for instance to provide the supported element 41, it cannotenter between the individual components of the support arrangement.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 2a show the construction of FIG. 1 but show differentauxiliary elements in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2 the glide member 7 consisting ofthe layers 8 and 9 is protected against entry of flowable concrete intothe interface 10 between the layers 8 and 9. This is accomplished byproviding an adhesive strip 12 which surrounds the edge portions of thelayers 8 and 9 and closes the interface in the manner illustrated.Adhered to the adhesive layer 2 at the underside of the support means orsupport arrangement 3 is a hard layer 13 consisting of opencelled foammaterial. This makes it possible to press the structure 3 into afinishing layer 14 of cement which has been applied to the base element15, here illustrated as a wall or floor structure. The cement 14 willadhere to both the base element 15 and enter into the open cells of thelayer 13, thereby bonding the structure 3 reliably to the base element15.

A concrete form 16 engages the edge face of the layer 13 in such amanner that the upper edge of the form 16 is located substantially onthe same level as the upper side of the layer 13.

A distancing or spacing member 18 is provided on its underside with aself-adhesive layer 19 which may originally be provided with a releasefoil for protective purposes, it being understood that the release foilwill be peeled or drawn off before the member 18 is used. One marginalportion of the member 18 is adhesively secured to the upper side of thestructure 3 extending along the circumferential edge of the latter, andthe other marginal portion of the member 18 is similarly secured to theform 16. The intermediate portion connecting the two marginal portionsbridges the space between the form 16 and the upper side of thestructure 3 to prevent the intrusion of concrete poured over thisarrangement. To facilitate bending of the marginal portions with respectto the intermediate portion the upper side of the member 18 is providedwith a weakened portion, such as a score line or the like, identifiedwith reference numeral 20 and extending along between the one marginalportion and the intermediate portion, whereas the lower side of themember 18 is provided with a similar end portion 21 extending alongbetween the intermediate portion and the other marginal portion.

The member 18 consists of a plastically deformable material, forinstance a hard foam material with closed cells or pores. It preventsthe penetration of concreteprior to hardening of the sameinto contactwith the circumferential edge of the structure 3, and/or layers l3, l4,and 15, so that'the supported element which is obtained when the pouredconcrete has hardened, can be so supported on the base element 15 viathe structure 3 that shifting or twisting of the supported elementoriginating through the absorption of loads, through temperaturefluctuations and the like, can be absorbed by the structure 3.

A somewhat different embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 2a where thelayer 13 of open-celled foam material is pressed into smooth flowableconcrete or mortar 17 which has been applied to the base element. Thisprovides evening and smoothing of the flowable concrete or mortar 17 andtight bonding of the layer 13 and thereby the structure 3 to the baseelement. This makes it possible to securely bond even large slidingsurfaces with the layer 17, an advantage which is particularly importantin the construction of concrete roadways or runways using prestressedconcrete. It also makes it possible to produce exposed concrete surfaceswithout special subsequent finishing steps by disposing a syntheticplastic foil on the form surfaces and subsequent pouring of concreteinto the form. In place of the foam it is also possible to use othermaterials with irregularly configurated surfaces.

It is also possible to make the layer 13 of elastic material if it isonly desired to compensate for evennesses in the support surface of thebase element in the sense of maintaining the possibility of smallshifting of the shiftable members of the structure 3 relative to oneanother. In this case the layer 13 may consist of polystyrene,polyethylene or polyurethane or rubberlike material. It is advantageousif the thickness of the layer 13 is between 2 and 30 mm. It should alsobe mentioned that the layer 13 could consist of natural fibers, such asfelt, or of synthetic fibers.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 utilizes a load-centering memberwhich here consists of a base layer 22 of neoprene on which there issupported a plate 23 consisting of high-grade steel. The upper side ofthe plate 23 is polished, chrome plated or bright annealed and slidablysupports a plate 24 of polytetrafluorethylene which extends into adepression 25 of a cap member 26, for instance of steel. The outercircumferential wall of the steel cap member 26 is located upwardlyspaced from the upper surface of the plate 23 so as to be capable offollowing any twisting movements of the supported element. The spacesbetween the outer circumferential wall of the steel cap member 26 andthe upper surface of the plate 23 are advantageously filled with anelastically deformable material 27, such as foam material, keeping plate23, and plate 24, and cap 26 during storage, handling, and casting inproper relative position.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4 there are provided adhesive layers28 which are located downwardly of the filler material 5. Although it ispossible that the layers 28 by themselves could serve for securing thestructure 3 to the base element, FIG. 4 additionally provides anadhesive carrier 29 at both longitudinal sides of the structure 3 whichis covered by a common protective release foil 30, which is of courseremoved before the structure 3 is secured to the base element (which isnot illustrated in FIG. 4). In this embodiment, also, the load-centeringmember 4 is surrounded laterally by the filler material 5. 9

FIGS. 5-9 illustrate folded connections between adjacent platelikesupport arrangements according to the present invention. Referencenumeral 31 identifies an adhesive foil which extends over the entirewidth of two platelike support arrangements 3 and connects the same.

FIG. 6 illustrates an adhesive foil 32 which is narrower than the widthof two adjacent platelike supporting structures 3.

According to FIG. 7 at least one material layer, for example in FIG. 1layer 8 and/or 9, of two adjacent support structures 3which materiallayer is common to both of themis provided at one side with an incision33 in such a manner that the remaining nonincised portion 33a makes itpossible to effect folding relative to one another of the adjacentportions of this layer, each of which portions is associated with one ofthe two adjacent support structures 3.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 8, similar to FIG. 7, there is againat least one layer of material provided which is common to two adjacentsupport structures 3. Here, however, this layer is incised from twoopposite sides with incisions 34, 34a with a nonincised portion 35remaining which is so narrow that the two support structures 3 connectedby the respective portions of the thus-incised layerwhich latter iscommon to both of the support structures 3can be readily folded intopositions in which they are parallel to one another.

FIG. 9, finally, illustrates platelike support structures 3 which arepartially folded for storage and handling purposes only relative to oneanother. Reference numeral 36 identifies an adhesive connection of thetype shown either in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6. Reference numerals 37 and 38identify respective layers of material whereas reference numeral 39identifies a filler material and reference numeral 40 a layer ofadhesive material provided with a release foil. The layer 40 extendsover the entire length of the composite support structure consisting ofthe individual structures 3. The adjacent structures 3 can be foldedrelative to one another in the manner illustrated so that they willfinally be located in parallelism with one another. It is advantageousif such folding is in zigzag shape as shown in FIG. 9, or in harmonicashape.

The incisions 33 in FIG. 7 and 34, 34a in FIG. 8 on the one hand make itpossible to smoothly arrange corrugated layers 37, 38, 39 of material(FIG. 9) without necessitating a complete severing thereof, and on theother hand they make it possible to fold the entire structure in such amanner as to avoid undesired kinking caused by foils manufactured notquite plain of unequal thickness etc. which would result in difficultiesin the installation due to concrete bridges" between supporting andsupported member. The incisions as described will prevent such bridges.The bending areas at the portions 33a or 35, respectively, constituteonly a small fraction of the entire width of the structure.

Since the change of longitude or elongation between supporting andsupported members normally varies in one or more direction, it ispractical and advantageous in many cases to separate the two members. Atthe same time there normally is a change of angle, twisting, of thesupported member relative to the supporting member around one or moreaxes. An artificial joint properly executed between the supporting andsupported member allows consequently the translatory and rotatingmovement relative between the two members.

Since the supporting member 4 may be of elastomer or rubberlike materialthe supported member is free to rotate along with the upper surface ofmember 4.'Further the filler material 5 allows easily a compression to afraction of the original volume, which results in there being noobstacles to the intended rotation. This also means, that the load isalmost completely carried by the load-centering support member 4, whichis located centered on the supporting member. Thus, the load is carrieddown into the center of the supporting member.

The foam-type filler material actually serves the purpose ofestablishing a compressible space or volume during casting of theconcrete in order to avoid stressing or overstressing the outer edges ofthe supporting member.

Independent superposition of the load-centering member and the glidemember means that two independent members covering an area of equalshape and magnitude are superimposed upon each other, each acting foritself, the one allowing translatory movement, the other rotatorymovement and centering of load to the middle axis of supporting member.

By the way, the elastically deformable material 27 also serves thepurpose of keeping steel cap member 26 in proper position during castingof concrete.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofconstructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in asupport structure, it is not intended to be limited to the detailsshown, since various modifications and structural changes may be madewithout departing inany way from the spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:

1. A load-bearing support structure for supporting on a base element ina building structure a structural element carried by said base elementand tending to shift and twist with reference to the same, said supportstructure comprising a base element; a supported structural elementsupported on said base element; and support means interposed betweensaid elements and including at least one load-centering first supportmember carried by said base element, a filler layer of compressiblefiller material surrounding said first member circumferentially thereofintermediate said elements and having a height at most corresponding tothat of said first member, and at least one discrete second supportmember overlying and supported on said first support member and saidlayer, said second support member supporting said supported structuralelement unconnected with said first support member and having slightfreedom of sliding and twisting movement relative thereto and to saidlayer while transmitting loads originating from said supportedstructural element into said first member in all positions which itassumes relative to said first member.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1, said base element being elongatedin a predetermined direction, and said first support member also beingelongated in said direction.

3. A structure as defined in claim 1, said base element being elongatedin a predetermined direction, and said support means including at leastone additional first support member spaced from said one first supportmember in said direction.

4. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said first support memberis of one-piece construction.

5. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said first support memberconsists of an elastically deformable material.

6. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said first support memberis reinforced.

7. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said first support membercomprises at least two superimposed glide layers having limited freedomof sliding movement relative to one another.

8. A structure as defined in claim 7, said two glide layers including abottom layer connected to said base element, a top layer slidablysuperimposed on said bottom layer and having an upward projection, andsaid first support member further including a downwardly open steel capmember having a cavity tightly receiving said projection and acircumferential wall which is slightly upwardly s aced from said bottomla er.

9. A structure as define in claim 8, wherein sai circumferential walldefines with said bottom layer a free gap; and further comprisingcompressible material received in and filling said free gap.

10. A structure as defined in claim 7, said two layers including a toplayer of polytetrafluorethylene and a bottom layer supporting said toplayer and consisting of steel; and further comprising a base layer ofplastically deformable material interposed between said bottom layer andsaid base element.

11. A structure as defined in claim 1, said second support memberincluding two layers of synthetic plastic material.

12. A structure as defined in claim 1, said support means comprising atleast an additional one of one of said support members arranged spacedfrom the first-mentioned one of said one support member, and wherein theother one of said support members is at least coextensive with both ofsaid one support member and at least partly severed into two sectionseach of which is associated with one of said one support members.

13. A structure as defined in claim 1, said support means including atleast one additional first support member spaced from said one firstsupport member, and at least one additional second support memberoverlying said additional first support member; and further comprisingflexible adhesive means bridging the gap between said one and saidadditional support members.

14. A structure as defined in claim 1, further comprising anintermediate layer interposed between said first support member and saidbase element and having a side facing the latter, and wherein said sideis provided with projections and/or depressions.

15. A structure as defined in claim 14, wherein said inter-' mediatelayer consists of elastic material.

16. A structure as defined in claim 1, each of said support membershaving an exposed surface juxtaposed with the respectively associatedelement; and further comprising a selfadhesive layer on at least one ofsaid exposed surfaces, and a release foil on said self-adhesive layerfor protection of the same prior to use of said support means in saidstructure.

17. A structure as defined in claim 16, said members being elongated,and said self-adhesive layer extending over the entire length of saidone exposed surface.

18. A structure as defined in claim 1, said support means having anupper circumferential edge; and further comprising distancing meanssecured to and extending along said upper circumferential edge andbridging the space between the same and said base element but withoutinterfering with the freedom of relative movement of said supportmembers.

19. A structure as defined in claim 18, said distancing means being anelongated strip-shaped member having a first elongated marginal portionsecured to said circumferential edge, a second elongated marginalportion secured to said base element and an intermediate elongatedportion connecting said elongated marginal portions and bridging thespace between said circumferential edge and said base element.

20. A structure as defined in claim 19, said strip-shaped member havingan upwardly facing side provided with a first elongated weakened lineextending along between said first marginal portion and saidintermediate portion, and a downwardly facing side provided with asecond elongated weakened line extending along between said secondmarginal portion and said intermediate portion, said weakened linesfacilitating bending of said marginal portions at angles relative tosaid intermediate portion.

21. A structure as defined in claim 20, said downwardly facing sidebeing provided with a self-adhesive layer for connecting saidstrip-shaped member to said circumferential edge and said base element,respectively, and a release foil releasably adhered to saidself-adhesive layer prior to use of said stripshaped member so as toprotect said self-adhesive layer.

1. A load-bearing support structure for supporting on a base element ina building structure a structural element carried by said base elementand tending to shift and twist with reference to the same, said supportstructure comprising a Base element; a supported structural elementsupported on said base element; and support means interposed betweensaid elements and including at least one load-centering first supportmember carried by said base element, a filler layer of compressiblefiller material surrounding said first member circumferentially thereofintermediate said elements and having a height at most corresponding tothat of said first member, and at least one discrete second supportmember overlying and supported on said first support member and saidlayer, said second support member supporting said supported structuralelement unconnected with said first support member and having slightfreedom of sliding and twisting movement relative thereto and to saidlayer while transmitting loads originating from said supportedstructural element into said first member in all positions which itassumes relative to said first member.
 2. A structure as defined inclaim 1, said base element being elongated in a predetermined direction,and said first support member also being elongated in said direction. 3.A structure as defined in claim 1, said base element being elongated ina predetermined direction, and said support means including at least oneadditional first support member spaced from said one first supportmember in said direction.
 4. A structure as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid first support member is of one-piece construction.
 5. A structureas defined in claim 1, wherein said first support member consists of anelastically deformable material.
 6. A structure as defined in claim 1,wherein said first support member is reinforced.
 7. A structure asdefined in claim 1, wherein said first support member comprises at leasttwo superimposed glide layers having limited freedom of sliding movementrelative to one another.
 8. A structure as defined in claim 7, said twoglide layers including a bottom layer connected to said base element, atop layer slidably superimposed on said bottom layer and having anupward projection, and said first support member further including adownwardly open steel cap member having a cavity tightly receiving saidprojection and a circumferential wall which is slightly upwardly spacedfrom said bottom layer.
 9. A structure as defined in claim 8, whereinsaid circumferential wall defines with said bottom layer a free gap; andfurther comprising compressible material received in and filling saidfree gap.
 10. A structure as defined in claim 7, said two layersincluding a top layer of polytetrafluorethylene and a bottom layersupporting said top layer and consisting of steel; and furthercomprising a base layer of plastically deformable material interposedbetween said bottom layer and said base element.
 11. A structure asdefined in claim 1, said second support member including two layers ofsynthetic plastic material.
 12. A structure as defined in claim 1, saidsupport means comprising at least an additional one of one of saidsupport members arranged spaced from the first-mentioned one of said onesupport member, and wherein the other one of said support members is atleast coextensive with both of said one support member and at leastpartly severed into two sections each of which is associated with one ofsaid one support members.
 13. A structure as defined in claim 1, saidsupport means including at least one additional first support memberspaced from said one first support member, and at least one additionalsecond support member overlying said additional first support member;and further comprising flexible adhesive means bridging the gap betweensaid one and said additional support members.
 14. A structure as definedin claim 1, further comprising an intermediate layer interposed betweensaid first support member and said base element and having a side facingthe latter, and wherein said side is provided with projections and/ordepressions.
 15. A structure as defined in claim 14, wherein saidintermedIate layer consists of elastic material.
 16. A structure asdefined in claim 1, each of said support members having an exposedsurface juxtaposed with the respectively associated element; and furthercomprising a self-adhesive layer on at least one of said exposedsurfaces, and a release foil on said self-adhesive layer for protectionof the same prior to use of said support means in said structure.
 17. Astructure as defined in claim 16, said members being elongated, and saidself-adhesive layer extending over the entire length of said one exposedsurface.
 18. A structure as defined in claim 1, said support meanshaving an upper circumferential edge; and further comprising distancingmeans secured to and extending along said upper circumferential edge andbridging the space between the same and said base element but withoutinterfering with the freedom of relative movement of said supportmembers.
 19. A structure as defined in claim 18, said distancing meansbeing an elongated strip-shaped member having a first elongated marginalportion secured to said circumferential edge, a second elongatedmarginal portion secured to said base element, and an intermediateelongated portion connecting said elongated marginal portions andbridging the space between said circumferential edge and said baseelement.
 20. A structure as defined in claim 19, said strip-shapedmember having an upwardly facing side provided with a first elongatedweakened line extending along between said first marginal portion andsaid intermediate portion, and a downwardly facing side provided with asecond elongated weakened line extending along between said secondmarginal portion and said intermediate portion, said weakened linesfacilitating bending of said marginal portions at angles relative tosaid intermediate portion.
 21. A structure as defined in claim 20, saiddownwardly facing side being provided with a self-adhesive layer forconnecting said strip-shaped member to said circumferential edge andsaid base element, respectively, and a release foil releasably adheredto said self-adhesive layer prior to use of said strip-shaped member soas to protect said self-adhesive layer.